Cabo Verde Outfits- What I wore
Hi y’all!
By now, you have probably already read my three previous posts about Cabo Verde (And if you have not, click here, here and here). But trust me, I am not done talking about this trip yet. Today, we are discussing something equally important: the outfits. Because what is a trip without fashion content?
Although I did not personally plan this trip, I knew by the end of March that I would be going. Which meant I had plenty of time to mentally prepare my wardrobe. Conveniently, sometime in March, I went through one of my periodic “let me reorganise my entire closet” phases. That helped me figure out exactly what I already owned and what could work for the trip.
This time, I really tried not to buy anything new specifically for travelling. And surprisingly, I almost succeeded. The only thing I purchased was a new pair of orthopaedic leather sandals for comfort.
Since Cabo Verde is an island, I naturally wanted to embrace a full “island gyal” aesthetic: colours, bold prints, flowy fabrics, scarves blowing dramatically in the wind. You know the vibe. But at the same time, I knew we would spend most of our days sightseeing, walking around, climbing hills, and moving from one place to another. So practicality had to come first.
A few days before departure, I checked the weather and realised Praia was slightly colder than Dakar. Nothing extreme, but enough to justify carrying a jacket or two. I also wanted pieces that would not wrinkle easily because I had no idea whether the hotel room would have an iron. And absolutely nobody was catching me carrying a steamer across borders.
So here is what made it into the suitcase:
Tops:
White tee, orange caraco, tie-dye blouse, sheer golden blouse, and a fringed top.
Bottoms:
Ankle-length denim jeans, chartreuse pants, leggings, a white skirt, a leopard-print slip skirt, and a sporty skirt.
Dresses:
Red eyelet dress, black-and-white maxi dress, striped shirt dress.
Outerwear:
Denim jacket, sports jacket, and a pullover.
Other essentials:
Pyjama sets, scarves, panties, bras, tank tops and biker shorts.
Shoes:
Sneakers, leather sandals, and golden heels.
Bags:
My trusty Coach crossbody and a denim tote bag.
The Looks
Look 1 — Travel Day to Praia
Striped shirt dress + denim pants + printed cotton scarf + sneakers + denim jacket + Coach bag + tote bag.
This outfit screamed, “stylish at the airport.” Comfortable but still put together. Exactly how I like to travel.
Look 2 — Exploring Cidade Velha
Red eyelet dress + leather sandals + Coach bag + white crochet scarf.
Probably one of my favourite looks of the trip. The red looked beautiful against the colourful streets and ocean views. Very soft, very feminine, very “vacation.” Bonus point for the dress being wrinkle- free.
Look 3 — Tarrafal Sightseeing
Orange tank + chartreuse pants + denim jacket + leather sandals + Coach bag + printed scarf.
Listen… the colours in this outfit deserved their own photoshoot. I looked like tropical fruit in the best possible way.
Look 4 — Night Out in Praia
Sheer golden blouse + black tank + leopard-print slip skirt + golden sandals + Coach bag + black scarf.
A little sexy, but still a modest look. The golden blouse under the night lights? Chef’s kiss.
Look 5 — Hiking in Assomada
White tee + black leggings + black sports skirt + sports jacket + tie-dye scarf + sneakers.
The outfit is purely functional.
Look 6 — Diner in Praia
Denim jacket + black-and-white maxi dress + golden heels + Coach bag + black scarf.
Simple, elegant, effortless. Moreover, I added my big snake necklace and red lipstick for more drama.
Look 7 — Downtown Praia
Tie-dye blouse + white skirt + tie-dye scarf + leather sandals + Coach bag.
It was such an easy outfit to move around downtown Praia. Plus, the tie-dye gave it the touch of colour needed to blend in with the colourful city.
Look 8 —Last night out in Praia
Cream fringed top + denim pants + denim jacket + golden scarf + golden heels.
I had not worn the top in over a year; it was a bit snug. Thankfully, my denim jacket covered it all. Note to self: next time you travel, try on all the outfits before packing them.
Look 9 —Trip back to Dakar
Denim jacket + black and white dress + sneakers + black scarf
For the airport look, I wore the black-and-white dress again with my trusted denim jacket and sneakers.
I genuinely liked every outfit I wore on this trip, which rarely happens. Usually, there is at least one look that makes me question my life choices afterwards. But this time, everything worked.
Most importantly, I made a real effort not to overpack. Of course, I had dreams of shopping in Cabo Verde and returning with unique pieces. Sadly, I did not get many opportunities to shop, and from what I saw, the boutiques were a little expensive for my liking.
Ironically, most of my travel companions travelled with tiny carry-ons while I arrived with a full-sized suitcase. Yet somehow, they had just as many outfits as I did — maybe even more. I genuinely do not understand how some people manage to pack their entire lives into one small piece of luggage. It is a talent.
On my next trip, I might challenge myself to do the same.
Which outfit did you like the best?
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